Better CAR T‑cell treatments for blood cancers
Enhancing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapies for HematologicMalignancies: Beyond CART 19
This project develops next-generation CAR T‑cell treatments using gene editing to help people with leukemias, lymphomas, CLL and multiple myeloma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192824 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of efforts to develop next-generation CAR T‑cell treatments that combine engineered immune cells with precise genome editing. The program is organized into disease-focused projects and shared laboratory cores led by teams who developed the first FDA‑approved CAR T therapy. Two clinical trials will test modified CAR T cells — for example, CD19‑targeted cells with added gene disruptions (CD5, CTLA‑4, TET2) — to treat CLL and lymphoma while other projects work to adapt CAR T approaches for AML and multiple myeloma. If eligible, patients may donate cells for manufacturing, receive the engineered cells at the center, and attend regular follow-up visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with relapsed or refractory B‑cell leukemias, certain lymphomas, CLL, AML, or multiple myeloma who meet clinical trial eligibility at the treating center.
Not a fit: Patients whose cancers do not express the targeted antigens, who are medically ineligible for cell therapy, or who have uncontrolled infections may not benefit from these interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce more durable or curative CAR T treatments and expand effective cell therapies to cancers that currently relapse or lack options.
How similar studies have performed: CD19‑targeted CAR T has already produced remissions and FDA approvals in some leukemias and lymphomas, but combining CAR T with new gene‑editing strategies and extending to AML/myeloma remains largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: June, Carl H. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: June, Carl H.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.